It is only the fourth known time in history that has happened. Here are the other three:
Nap Lajoie, A's by White Sox - May 23, 1901The Rays held a 7-3 lead and Hamilton was the potential tying run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Joe Maddon (later calling it a "prudent" move) had reliever Grant Balfour put Hamilton on, making the score 7-4 and bringing the potential winning run to the plate.
Bill Nicholson, Cubs by Giants - July 23, 1944
Barry Bonds, Giants by Diamondbacks - May 28, 1998
The strategy worked, as Dan Wheeler came out of the bullpen to strike out Marlon Byrd and end the game.
Thank you for answering a question I've had for 10 years.
ReplyDeleteI was vacationing in Phoenix back in '98 when I watched the D-backs intentionally walk Bonds with the bases loaded in the 9th inning.
It worked for them, too, but I was left wondering if that had EVER happened before.
Now I know.
Grant Balfour... you couldn't ask for a better name for a pitcher in that situation :)
ReplyDelete